# siege, besiege, besieged, besiegers, besieging, siegeworks, siege ramps ## Definition: A "siege" occurs when an attacking army surrounds a city and keeps it from receiving any supplies of food and water. To "besiege" a city or to put it "under siege" means to attack it by means of a siege. * When the Babylonians came to attack Israel, they used the tactic of a siege against Jerusalem to weaken the people inside the city. * Often during a siege, ramps of dirt are gradually constructed to enable the attacking army to cross over the city walls and invade the city. * To "besiege" a city can also be expressed as to "lay siege" to it or to "perform a siege" on it. * The term "besieged" has the same meaning as the expression "under siege." Both these expressions describe a city that an enemy army is surrounding and besieging. ## Bible References: * [1 Chronicles 20:1](rc://en/tn/help/1ch/20/1) * [1 Kings 20:1-3](rc://en/tn/help/1ki/20/01) * [1 Samuel 11:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/1sa/11/01) * [Jeremiah 33:04](rc://en/tn/help/jer/33/04) ## Word Data: * Strong's: H4685, H4692, H5341, H5437, H5564, H6693, H6696, H6887